Human Rights at Sea released its latest international publication exposing the real-life stories behind the reasoning why African migrants leave their home and risk all to travel north through the Sahel and Sahara to attempt the Mediterranean crossing, often with fatal consequences.
The research is part of the charity’s ongoing investigations and objective narrative explaining why people migrate from Africa. This often results in the loss of their lives while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, or otherwise they are rescued by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), military, coast guard or commercial vessels during such perilous attempts. Some migrants are increasingly being returned to States where they are abused and persecuted often against the international law protection of non-refoulement. Other migrants are reported by NGOs, or families, as having simple gone missing.
The publication aims to provide those researching and teaching the subject matter with further insight and evidence collated from first-hand witness testimonies. For those working in the maritime environment it provides accurate insight into the background of the very people that seafarers and fishers may come in contact with during humanitarian rescues at sea.
The publication has been drafted to complement the likes of the Marlins maritime Humanitarian Response e-learning course, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Rescue at Sea publication, the ICS Large Scale Rescue Operations at Sea publication, the Human Rights at Sea Volunteer Maritime Rescuers: Awareness of Criminalisation and Deprivation of Liberty at Sea publications. The release also coincides with the charity’s participation with the Jean Monet Centre for Excellence Summer School on the issue of migrants in the Mediterranean underway this week in Naples, Italy.
Human Rights at Sea CEO, David Hammond, commented:
“Our latest charitable publication supporting greater human rights awareness for the maritime community, is the result of extensive field work to complement and expand upon other key publications concerning the issue of migrants in the maritime environment. It goes to develop State, corporate and civil society awareness, education and the realization that for every story there is a human behind it.”
Further information may be found by reading the report below
Source & Image credit: HRAS
